RESEARCH REVEALS PEOPLE DON’T KNOW WHERE THEIR WATER COMES FROM AND ARE UNAWARE OF HOW TO SAVE IT

AUSTIN, TX – In a recent survey of people living in the lower Colorado River basin, more than half of the respondents identified concerns about water supply and water quality as the biggest environmental challenge facing the basin.

At the same time, more than half of the respondents are not aware of efforts to save water or what they could do to personally reduce water use. Most do not know the source of their water, but when they do know the source, they are more likely to act to protect and save it.
The survey was conducted for the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) by Baselice & Associates, Inc. as part of LCRA’s efforts as a steward of the region’s water resources.

Some 600 residents from counties adjacent to the Texas Colorado River from San Saba County to Matagorda Bay were asked to share their attitudes related to water, watering habits and knowledge of ways to save water today and for future generations. The number of respondents was statistically significant, representing a margin of error of 4 percent.

“If we all do the right things, there will be plenty of water to serve the needs of the people who rely on the Colorado River to sustain life and our environmental and economic interests,” said LCRA General Manager Joe Beal. “For LCRA to be effective in developing long-term plans that help sustain this limited resource, it is important to understand the attitudes, beliefs and water use habits of the people we serve. That is why this survey will be very helpful as we move forward in developing an aggressive public education program for water conservation.”

Source of Drinking Water Critical
When asked to describe their knowledge of the natural source of their drinking water, 68 percent of respondents felt they knew or definitely knew the source of their water. However, when asked to identify the source, most people, particularly in urban areas, provided answers that did not match the actual source of their supply.

In Travis County, nearly half of those surveyed said they believed groundwater, well water or the Edwards Aquifer is their main source of water. In reality, surface water from the Colorado River is by far the largest source of water supply for Travis County residents.
“This is important when you look at this research and similar research done on a statewide basis in 2004,” said Mike Baselice, CEO of Baselice & Associates, Inc., “There is no doubt that once people know and understand the natural source of their drinking water, their attitude about water changes, and they take action to save and protect their water supply.”

“This research is consistent with what we hear when talking to customers and community groups,” said Nora Mullarkey, LCRA supervisor for Water Use and Conservation. “Conserving water makes more sense to people once they understand where their water comes from and how their use impacts their water supply, whether it is the river or an aquifer.”

What Are People Doing?
Although most respondents were aware of indoor actions that save water, most respondents did not know that most water waste comes from improperly watering their landscape. A typical home on a quarter acre lot uses about 3,000 gallons of water every time the irrigation system runs. In addition, irrigation systems typically run in the middle of the night so excess use of water due to over watering or leaks often goes unnoticed. Seasonally, outdoor irrigation accounts for about 60 percent of residential water use.
“While most people are doing well saving water indoors, they don’t realize that much more of the water they use goes to irrigating a landscape,” Mullarkey said. “Unfortunately, irrigation or sprinkler boxes are often more confusing to operate than the VCR. We need educate people about water budget features, rain sensors, and other outdoor conservation tips that can save customers both water and money.”

Where the Water Goes
Currently, most of the water supply in the Colorado River is used for agricultural purposes, primarily near the Gulf Coast. However, the fastest growing demand on the water supply comes from municipal utilities that provide water for homes and businesses.
What Can Be Done
LCRA plans to launch in July a new comprehensive water-awareness campaign that will offer people simple tips to save water around their homes and businesses to extend existing water supplies and reduce demand during peak times in the summer.

“It is clear to us that the people we serve want to learn more about water and what they can do to help save and protect it,” Beal said. “In our history as a conservation and reclamation district, we have developed many successful programs, primarily for agricultural conservation, that have helped save water. We are committed to continuing that support for agriculture conservation, while expanding our conservation education efforts to match the growth and changing character of the basin.”

Media Contact: Bill McCann 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 4032, or Tad Druart, Ext. 3584


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